Tour do Rio

The ‘Tour de France’ is over for another year; the competition which began in 1903 and which annually ignites not only Gallic passion but at times international furore; from strikes (only in France) to blockades, diversions and even sneaky train rides. Yet there’s a new event to mark on the international cycling calendar, itself beginning in a city which divides the hearts of many; ambivalence is not a feeling often harboured towards the painfully beautiful Rio de Janeiro and the ‘Tour do Rio’ promises blood, toil, tears and sweat in abundance.

The first competition of its kind in Latin America, the tour is due to begin in earnest tomorrow, covering some of the most spectacular scenery the state of Rio has to offer between now and the 1st of August. Organisers hope that the event will do for Brazil what the Tour de France has done for France and the Giro d’Italia has done for Italy. The tour has already generated 1500 jobs and according to luxury Brazilian travel experts ‘Dehouche’, to some extent marks the beginning of a new era for the city, which over the coming years will host a myriad of international sporting events including both the world cup final in 2014 and the summer Olympics in 2016. However, despite the city’s association with inherent natural beauty, Rio’s residents, or Cariocas, were recently named the most obese in Brazil by local magazine ‘Veja’, suggesting the event might inspire those carrying extra kilos to get in shape, as well as offering training for potential future athletes. Ouch.

The competition to which even Lance Armstrong was invited, (though his appearance is sadly doubtful due to having just completed the Tour de France) will cover some 783km, the first stretch of which will traverse the stunning coastal road from the city of Rio to the port of Angra, on Rio’s Emerald Coast. Led by a carnival akin to that of its predecessor, the competition will go on to negotiate mountains, beaches and colonial towns as 150 athletes and an estimated 200,000 people follow the course whose road eventually leads back to the marvellous city itself and cyclists compete to cross the finish line within the inimitable bay of Botafogo, framed by Sugar loaf mountain and overlooked by Christ the Redeemer from atop the Corcovado mountain. ‘Dehouche’ who are resident locally, intend to be there to witness this exciting moment in Rio’s history.

The 26km warm up stage in the mountainous region above Rio which started in Petrópolis and wound its way towards nearby Teresopolis has already been won by Brazilian cyclist David Leite. However, the stages of the tour itself will average a sweaty 150km per day; the attraction? Total prize money of R$175,000 (approx 100,000 USD) which will be distributed amongst the first 20 to complete each of the various stages, with total prize money of R$35,000 for the overall winner; whether any yellow t-shirts or similarly themed clothing will also be awarded remains to be seen. The order of the first stage will be decided in Copacabana this evening as participants prepare themselves for the first test. None of the ‘Dehouche’ team members have signed up to participate this year as they’re far too busy taking care of clients holidays, but there’s always next year.
This author, blaufraustein of IndSEO is an associate of Dehouche S. A., who, essentially is a team of sports enthusiasts, running a travel company in Rio, covering Brazil, Argentina and South America, apart from other exclusive locations.

Dehouche S.A.,

Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil.

www.dehouche.com

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